Brake actuator



Feb. -3, 1942.

c. s. M CARTHY BRAKE ACTUATOR Filed. Nov. 7, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l Zlrwvxrvlio'a Charles 6. McCarfhy '5 o Gummy nunnonhuman nunuuuunuunuuunmuuumuumuuu unnmuununnnonnumunDunn-DUDE Feb. 3, 1942.

c. s. M cARTi-w BRAKE ACTUATOR Filed Nov. 7, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet I 2 W f M m i C Nfi atto'meg' Feb. 3, 1942.

C. S. McCARTHY BRAKE ACTUATOR Filed Nov. '7, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 MUHL lllllillllll-lhllllll'lllllul Charles 5. Mc Cerf/7y Rx m3 Patented Feb. 3, 1942 BRAKE ACTUATOR Charles S. McCarthy, liloledo, Ohio, assignor to The Bingham Stamping Company, a corporation of Ohio Application November '2, 1939, Serial No. 303,248

17 Claims.

This invention relates to control operating mechanisms and more particularly to an arrangement adapted to control the braking mechanism of an automotive vehicle.

The invention has as one of its principal objects the provision in control mechanism of a novel motion reducing means to eiiectively control the application of force for setting in braking position the brakes of an automotive vehicle.

The invention includes as one of its objects the provision in an emergency or hand operated brake mechanism of a novel force multiplying means whereby the force applied by the operator through the actuation of the manually operated member to set the brakes of an automotive vehicle in braking position is materially increased.

An object of the invention is to provide in a brake manipulating or controlling device means for materially increasing the force applied by the operator sothat such increased force is transmitted to the braking mechanism of an automotive vehicle. c

Another object of the invention 'is to provide in a brakev manipulating or controlling device means whereby movement of one of the elements of the mechanism is transmitted to another element with a change in its magnitude or extent.

A further object of the invention is to provide vehicle brake controlling mechanism arranged for movement in a straight line and adapted to be positioned conveniently with respect to the operator of the vehicle as on the dashboard or instrument panel of said vehicle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide simple yet effective means for locking in position and releasing the mechanism which operates the brakes of an automotive vehicle;

A further object of the invention is to provide a simplified mechanism control wherein the elements comprising the same are formed of. sheet metal stampings, thus facilitating ease of manufacture and assembly and providing a substantial savings in the production of the completed unit.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of' this invention suchas relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements'pe'r se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an arrangement of the mechanism control of my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the-line 2-2- of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure -1;

Figure 4 isa transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a transverse'sectional view'takenon the line 55 of Figure 2; I

Figure G is an isometric View of the relatively stationary outer casing of the controlpmechahis-m shown in Figure 1;

Figure '7 is a side elevational View of the relatively movable member with a portion broken away for the purpose of showing certain elements forming part of the motion reducing means of the invention;

Figure 8 is a bottom planview of one extremity of the manually movable member of the control mechanism showing the arrangement of the motion reducing means illustrated in Figure'7;

Figure 9' is an isometric view of a member which coacts with the motion reducing means of the invention utilized to transfer movement of the manually movable member to the-vehicle braking mechanism;

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line Hll0 of Figure '7;

' Figure 11 is a top plan view of a modified form of the mechanism control of the invention;,

Figure 12 is a side elevational view with certain portions broken away for the purpose of illustrating a modified form of locking means;

Figure 13 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 13-43 of Figure 12;

Figure llis a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line l -M of Figure 12;

Figure 15 is an enlarged detail view'illustrating the locking means for the control mechanism shown in Figure 12in its released position. p i The invention has been illustrated as'incorporated in a mechanismutilized for manipu1ating' and controlling the brakes of an automotive vehicle, but I contemplate that the invention may be used wherever it is found to have utility. Referring to the form, oftheinvention shown in Figures 1 to10 inclusive, the mechanism control illustrated includes a relatively stationary support ortubular open ended housing 10 pref-- erably of sheet metal and formed to a substantially rectangular configuration having a longitudinal opening ll. As illustrated in detail in Figure 6, th housing or guide member ID has substantially parallel side walls I 2 and 13 con-' nected together by a uniplanar section [4. The other end of the side walls l2 and i3 terminate into inwardly extending, spaced portions or ledges l6 and H. The ledges l6 and I! are each provided throughout their length with a plurality of spaced; openings I9, thus forming the gear tracks or racks 2| and 22 respectively. p

The walls [2 and I3 at the rearward end of member I8 are each provided with an integral outwardly projecting ear 28, and the ears are each formed with an opening 23 adapted to receive a rivet such as 24 for the purpose of securing the member I8 to a support 25. Thesupport 25 may be secured to the dashboard (not shown) of an automotive vehicle or to any other convenient portion of the vehicle readily accessible to the driver. Located within the housing I8 and arranged for sliding movement is the manually operable element or mechanism control manipulating member 21. The member 21 is preferably formed of sheet metal and comprises the substantially parallel side walls 38 and 3| having inwardly extending ledges or shoulder portions 33 and 34 which connect the side wall 38 and 3| with a central section 36 of U-shaped configuration adapted to be received in the slot II formed by ledges I6 and I1 of guiding member I8. The U-shaped section 35 is adapted to receive a toothed or rack-like'drawbar or member 38 particularly shown in Figure 9 which terminates at one end in an angular depending portion 48 having an opening 4|. The drawbar 38 is provided adjacent-to its angular portion 48 with lateral projections 43 and 44, each having a notch or kerf formed on the end portion thereof, each of said notches being adapted to slidably engage respectively the edges of the ledges I6 and I1 of the housing I8 providing suitable guiding means for the drawbar 38 and thus preventing any binding action between it andthe housing I8 whereby movement imparted thereto is transmitted to the braking mechanism of the vehicle through suitable clevis connection 31 secured to the drawbar 38 by a rivet 48' passing through the opening 4|.

At the forward end of the manipulating member 21, the walls 38 and 3| are bent inwardly as at 41 to form the reduced parallel end section 48 as particularly shown'in Figure 8. of the reduced section 48 are provided with aligned openings for receiving suitable bearings adapted to journal a stub shaft 52. Fixedly secured to shaft 52 are the gears 53, 54 and 55. The gears 53 and 55 are of the same diameter, and in the embodiment illustrated each include 16 teeth, these gears being fixed to the ends of the shaft 52 and so positioned that their teeth are in alignment with and engage in the openings I9 of the spaced racks 2| and 22 formed on ledges I6 and I1 of the housing I8. The centrally supported gear 54 located between the walls of the reduced end section 48 is of smaller diameter than the gears 53 and 55, and in the embodiment illustrated has twelve teeth. The gear 54 is so positioned on shaft 52 that its teeth are in engagement with teeth formed on the member or drawbar 38, and thereby impart when rotated rectilinear movement to the latter. The walls of the reduced end section 48 are also provided with aligned openings located below the bearings 5| for the purpose of receiving a rotatable shaft 55 to which are secured rollers 58 and 59 adapted to contact with the inner surface of the uniplanar portion I4 of the stationary hous me In.

The side walls 38 and 3| at the rearward end of the member 21 adjacent the bracket 25 are bent as at 6| to form a reduced section having parallel wall sections 82 and 63 to which is secured a handle or grip member 65 as by a rivet 64 received in aligned openings provided in the grip member 85 and wall sections 52 and 63 of the member 21. The grip member 65 in the em- The walls bodiment illustrated includes similarly shaped matched half sections 18 and 1| abutting as at 13 and are further secured together byrivet 61 to form a hollow handle. It is to be noted that the upper forward portion of the member 65 is provided with a slot or opening 51 to receive a pivoted finger trigger 19.

The finger trigger 19 preferably of U-shaped cross section is pivoted as at 88 upon a rivet or pin 8| which extends through th projecting walls 62 and 83. The piece 19 is urged to its outermost position by means of a hairpin spring 83, which is coiled around the pin 8| having one leg portion 84 in contact with the inner wall 85 of the finger piece 19 and the other leg portion 86 in engagement with an abutment or stop pin 31 located within the hollow handle 65. The trigger 19 is formed at its upper end with spaced wall portions 83 which extend upwardly between the side walls 38 and 3| of member 21, and are provided with aligned openings to receive a pin or rivet 88, the latter also passing through aligned openings formed in the extremity of a bar or member 9| which forms a means for controlling the actuation of the clutching mechanism for locking the manipulating member 21. The bar 8| is preferably of U-shaped cross section throughout a major portion of its length for purposes of rigidity, the side walls of the U-shape being in sliding contact with the side Walls 38 and 3| of member 21.

Positioned between the side walls 38 and 3| of member 21 is a bracket 85 having upwardly extending wall portions 98 and 91 spotwelded or otherwise secured to the side walls of member 21, the bracket having a hook-like projection 38 which is adapted to support and position a spring I88 as particularly shown in Figure 2, the spring engaging a clutch means or roller I82. It is to be noted that the bracket 95 has an inclined portion 99 so that the clutch I82 may be wedged between the inclined portion 89 and the lower wall or uniplanar portion I4 of the housing I8, and when the clutch is urged into such wedging position under the influence of spring I08, it serves to hold member 21 against relative movement with respect to the stationary housing I8. The bar 9| terminates adjacent the clutch I82 so that when it is desired to unlock or release member 21 so that it may be moved in a left hand direction as viewed in Figure 2, it is only necessary to depress the finger trigger 19 causing bar 9| to move the clutch I82 out of wedging engagement between the inclined portion 99 and wall I4 of the housing I8. Bar9| is provided with a depending portion or ear I84 and the wall I4 of the housing is provided with a screw I85 so that member 21 may be prevented from being entirely withdrawn from the housing I8 by reason of engagement of the ear I84 with screw I85 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.

The gears 53, 54 and55 are all fixed to the shaft 46 by any suitable means, that shown being .to provide the shaft with a flattened portion 48 and the gears with corresponding'central openings to fit the flat portion of the shaft so that force and motion will be positively transmitted through gears 53 and 55 to gear 54 and thence to the rack or drawbar 38.

In the operation of the arrangement of my invention as illustrated in the form shown in Figures 1 through 10, the brake mechanism may be connected by' means of a cable I8I to the clevis 31 and drawbar 38, the latter being centrally positioned in the guide member 36 and having its reason of the upwardly and forwardly inclined surface 99 of bracket so that the member 21 may be moved freely carrying with it the gearing 53, 54 and 55. As the gears 53 and 55 are in meshwith the toothed racks I5 and I1, there will be rotary movement imparted to these gears by their movement along racks I6 and I1 and a rotary movement of gear 54 causing the rack or drawbar 33 to also be moved in the right hand direction as viewed in Figure 2. The difference in the amount of longitudinal movement of member 21 with respect to the movement of member 38 is dependent upon the difference in the pitch diameter of gears 53 and 55 with respect to that of gear 54. For example, in the embodiment shown the diiference of pitch diameters between these gears is in the ratio of one to four. Thus, if member 21 is withdrawn a distance of four inches, member 38 is moved in the same direction one-fourth the distance or one inch. The multiplication of force being proportional to the movement, the amount of force applied to withdraw member 21 toward brake setting position is multiplied so that four times the force is applied to the braking mechanism through the drawbar 38,'clevis 31', and cable IOI. When-the brakes have been actuated by relative movement of member 21 until they have been moved to set position, the clutch I02 under the influence of spring I00 is forced to wedging position between surface 99 and wall I4 of the housing to lock the member 21 and the drawbar 38 in brake setting position. During movement of member 21 the rollers 58 and 59 serve to minimize the friction and prevent binding of the slidable elements. When it is desired to release the brakes, it is only necessary for the operator to move the trigger #9 in a counter-clockwise direction about the pivot point 80 thus urging bar 9| against the clutch I02 to move the latter out of clutching engagement, the member 21 may then be slidably moved to brake releasing position, that is, approaching the position as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figures 11 through 15 inclusive illustrate a modified form of my invention wherein there is provided an elongated hollow casing or housing H9 which is generally of c-shaped configuration in cross section, as is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. The housing H0 is formed with topand bottom portions'HI and H2 respectively, a connecting side wall portion H3, upwardly extending fiange H4, and a downwardly extending flange H5, the latter extending only throughout a minor portion of the length of the housing. Th upper edge of flange H4 is provided with a series of rack teeth H6.

Slidably positioned within the hollow interior ofthe housing H0 is a U-shaped member H9 having side walls I28 and I2I, the member H9 being of a dimension to be slidably movable within the housing H0; Secured'to the rear portion of member H9 is a handle or grip portion I preferably formed of two similarly shaped matched sections I22 secured togetherby means of rivets. I 23' and to member H9 by means of rivets. I24. Pivoted tomember' I I9 by meansof a pin or rivet I25 is a finger piece or trigger I26 which is urgedi to theposition illustrated in Figure 12 under the influence of a hairpin-like spring I21. having a central portioncoiled about the pivot pinv I25, one leg portion of the spring I30: engaging rivet I24while the opposite leg portion. I3I; bears against the finger trigger I26.

Pivotally securedv to the finger trigger by means of pin I32tis'a longitudinally extending bar I33 forming a part of clutch releasing mechanism to be hereinafter explained.

The side walls I20 and 121 of the forward portion of member H9 are brought closer together as illustrated in Figure 11 and have punched p nings bounded by flanges I34 and I35 to provide bearings or journals for a stub shaft I35. The shaft I35 is provided with a portion I31 which is journalled in bearing I34 and is fixed to a gear I38 positioned between the walls I20 and I2I of member H9. The shaft portion I31 has a flat portion I39 and the gear is provided with correspondingly shaped opening fitting the shaft so that the gear and shaft are caused to rotate together. The shaft I36 is provided with a reduced portion I40 which carries at its outer. extremity a gear I4I of larger diameter than gear I38, gear I4 I being mounted to rotate-with the shaft through the medium of a flattened portion I thereon, the end of the shaft being riveted over or swaged as illustrated at I40 to hold gear I4I on the shaft.

Slidably positioned immediately beneath gear I38 and extending longitudinally of the housing H0 is a drawbar or rack I41 having its toothed portion in engagement with gear I38, the rack having a depending projection I49 which is connected by means of a pin I50 to a clevis I5I, the latter in turn being connected to a flexible cable I52 contained within a sheath I53 which is adapted to be connected to brakes of the vehicle to be actuated by the mechanism of my invention. The sheath I53 may be secured in position by means of abracket I54 fastened to the casing H0 by means of a screw I55 or may be welded to the same if desired.

Positioned intermediate the side walls I20 and HI of member H9 is a clutch or looking pawl I50 pivotally supported upon a pin or rivet IBI passing through the side walls of member H9. The

member I is provided with a toothed pawl or projection I62 which is adapted to engage'between teeth of gear I38 to lock the gear I38, member H9 and drawbar I41 in predetermined position. The member I50 is provided with an opening I33 having a restricted throat portion and the extremity of bar I33 is provided with an end portion I64 adapted to extend into the opening I63 so as to connect the bar I33 with clutch member I60, the bar having a restricted neck portion I to permit relative oscillatory movement of portion I64 in the opening I63 to permit the withdrawal of the tooth I52 from enmeshment with gear I38 in order to prevent metallic rattles or vibratory noises preferable to surround a portion of the bar I33 with a sleeve I61 of rubber or other suitable non-metallic'material.

The operation of this form of the invention is being fixedly secured to some portion of the vehicle. Due to the difference in diameters of gears I 38 and I 4|, outward movement of member H9 causes a corresponding longitudinal movement of the drawbar or rack I41 in the same direction, but through a lesser distance depending upon the diiference of the diameters of gears I38 and MI, in the embodiment this being in a ratio of one to four so that a Withdrawal of member II9 through a distance of four inches from the housing III] causes a longitudinal movement of the drawbar I47 and consequently the brake actuating cable I52 moves through a distance of one inch. The member H9 is withdrawn until the brakes have been brought to set position, in which position the projection or pawl I62 of the clutch means engages between two teeth in the gear I38 to hold the mechanism in the brake setting position. When it is desired to release the brake mechanism the operator moves the trigger I26 in a counterclockwise direction about pivot pin I25 which causes a longitudinal movement of bar I33 and a withdrawal of projection or pawl I 62 from engagement with gear I38 as illustrated in Figure 15, after which a force exerted longitudinally of member II 9 to slide or telescope the latter into the housing III) causes the drawbar I 4'! to be moved toward brake releasing position.

It is to be understood that the ratio between the diameters of gears I38 and MI may be varied to change the amount of force applied in setting the brakes through the mechanism of my invention and that the movement of member II9 with respect to drawbar I4! is proportional to the forces transmitted. Thus, if the difierence between the diameters is one-eighth and member H8 is moved through a distance of eight inches, the drawbar I41 will only move through a distance of one inch, but the force applied to withdrawing member H9 is multiplied eight times to the drawbar I41. Thus, through the medium of my invention practically any ratio of amplitude of movement to the amplitude of force may be secured by merely changing the diameters of the gears interconnecting gears between the drawbar and the manipulating element.

It is apparent that within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrange ments may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

l. Mechanism control including a support; a pair of elements slidably mounted upon the support and arranged for movement in parallel directions and relative to said support; motion translating means interposed between said elements whereby movement of one of said elements is transmitted to the other of said elements; means for locking one of said elements against movement with respect to said support; one of said elements having a hand grip portion associated therewith; and means mounted adjacent said hand grip portion and cooperatively associated with said locking means for releasing the locking means.

2. Mechanism control including a support; a pair of elements mounted in parallel relation upon the support and arranged for longitudinal slidable movement relative thereto; motion translating means interposed between said elements rotatable with respect thereto and being longitudinally movable by one of said elements whereby movement of one of said elements is trans- -mitted to the other of said elements; means for locking one of said elements against movement with respect to said support; and. means cooperatively associated with said locking means for releasing the latter.

3. Mechanism ontrol including a support; a manipulating member carried by said support arranged for longitudinal slidable movement relative thereto; a second member carried by said support arranged for longitudinal slidable movement in parallel relation with said manipulating member; and means interposed between said members for rotary movement with respect thereto and for sliding movement with the manipulating member whereby longitudinal movement imparted to the manipulating member is transmitted with a change in amplitude to the second member.

4. A mechanism control including a tubular support; a member adapted for connection to the mechanism to be operated carried by and movable within said tubular support; a manually movable member carried by said support; motion changing gears interposed between said members freely rotatable with respect to both of said members whereby manual longitudinal movement of one of said members causes the other of said members to move at a different rate, and means for locking one of said members against movement with respect to said support.

5. Mechanism control including a support; a pair of elements slidably carried by said support and movable in parallel directions with respect thereto; motion multiplying means connecting said elements whereby slidable movement of one of said elements in one direction causes differential slidable movement of the other of said ele-- ments in the same direction; means for locking one of said elements with respect to said support; one of said elements having a hand grip portion; a finger piece mounted adjacent said hand grip portion; and means connected to said finger piece and cooperatively associated with said locking means for releasing the locking means.

6. Mechanism control including a tubular support; a pair of elements slidably carried within said support; motion translating means interposed between said elements whereby movement of one of said elements causes differential movement of the other of said elements; clutch means for locking one of said elements with respect to said support; one of said elements having a hand grip portion secured thereto; a pivoted finger piece associated with said hand grip portion; and means connecting said finger piece and said clutch means for releasing said clutching means.

7. Mechanism control including a hollow sup-' port; a pair of elements slidably mounted in said hollow support; gearing freely rotatable with respect to said elements whereby linear movement of one of said elements causes differential movement of the other of said elements; and means for restraining longitudinal movement of one of said elements with respect to said support.

8. Mechanism control including a tubular support; a pair of elements slidably mounted within said tubular support; gearing freely journalled upon one of said elements and being interposed between said elements whereby movement of one of said elements causes difierential movement of the other of said elements; and longitudinally movable means for locking one of said elements against movement with respect to said tubular support. I

9. Mechanism control including a hollow supporting member having a rack portion; an element aranged for longitudinal slidable movement and carried within said support; a second element slidabl within said support and having a toothed rack portion; a pair of spur gears of different diameters journalled upon said first mentioned element for rotary movement thereof and longitudinal movement therewith and meshing respectively with the rack portion of said support and the rack portion of said second element whereby movement of one of said elements effects a diflerential movement of the other of said elements.

10. Mechanism control including a support having a rack portion; an element mounted upon and slidable with respect to said support; said element having a rack portion; a pair of spur gears of difierent diameters meshing respectively with the rack portions of said support and said element; and means longitudinally movable for restraining slidable movement of said element.

with respect to said support.

11. Mechanism control including a support having a rack portion; an element mounted upon and slidable with respect to said support; said element having a rack portion; a pair of spur gears of different diameters meshing respectively with the rack portions of said support and said element; means for locking said gears; spring means for urging said locking means toward locked position; and means for releasing said locking means.

12. Mechanism control including a hollow supporting member having a rack portion; an element arranged for slidable movement and carried within said support; a second element slidable within said support and having a rack portion; a pair of spur gears of different diameters carried by said first mentioned element meshing respectively with the rack portion of said support and the rack portion of said second element whereby movement of said first mentioned element effects a difierential movement of said second element through said gears; locking means for locking the gears against movement relative to said support; said first mentioned element having a hand grip portion secured thereto; a finger piece movably associated with said hand grip portion; and means connecting said finger piece with said locking means for effecting a release of the locking means.

13. Mechanism control including a hollow supporting member having a rack-like wall portion; an element arranged for slidable movement and carried within said support; a second element slidable within said support and having a toothed rack portion; a pair of spur gears of different diameters carried by said first mentioned element meshing respectively with the rack portion of said support and the rack portion of said second element whereby movement of said first mentioned element effects a difierential movement of said second element through said gears; locking means for locking the elements in ad justed position; said first mentioned element having a hand grip portion secured thereto; a finger piece pivotally mounted adjacent said hand grip portion; and means connecting said finger piece with said locking means whereby independent movement of said finger piece efiects a release of the locking means.

14. Mechanism control including a hollow supporting member formed of sheet metal and having a rack-like wall portion; an element arranged for slidable movement and carried within said support; a second element slidable within said support and having a toothed rack portion; a pair of spur gears of diiierent diameters journalled upon said first mentioned element and meshing respectively with the rack portion of said support and the rack portion of said second element whereby movement of said first mentioned element efiects a differential movement of said second element through said gears; a pawl carried by said elements and adapted to cooperate with one of said gears for locking the latter against movement with respect to said support; said first mentioned element having a hand grip portion secured thereto; spring means for normally urging said pawl to looking position; and means connected with said pawl for effecting a release of the gears.

15. Mechanism control including a hollow supporting member having a rack portion; an element arranged for slidable movement and carried within said support; a second element slidable within said support and having a toothed rack portion; a pair of spur gears of difierent diameters journalled upon said first mentioned element and meshing respectively with the rack portion of said support and the rack portion of said second element whereby movement of said first mentioned element effects a differential movement of said second element through said gears; clutch means arranged to lock said elements against movement with respect to said support; spring means for normally urging said clutch means toward locked position; said first mentioned element having a hand grip portion of non-metallic material; and means associated with said clutch means for efiecting a release thereof.

16. Mechanism control including a hollow supporting member having a rack portion; an element arranged for slidable movement and carried within said support; a second element slidable within said support and having a toothed rack portion; a pair of spur gears of different diameters carried by said first mentioned element and meshing respectively with the rack portion of said support and the rack portion of said second element whereby movement of said first mentioned element efiects a differential movement of said second element; and locking means locking said elements against movement relative to said support.

1'7. Mechanism control including a hollow supporting member having a rack portion; an element arranged for slidable movement and carried within said support; a second element slidable within said support and having a toothed rack portion; a pair of spur gears of different diameters carried by said first mentioned element meshing respectively with the rack portion of said support and the rack portion of said second element whereby movement of said first mentioned element effects a differential movement of said second element through said gears; and locking means cooperatively associated with one of said elements and said support for looking the elements in adjusted position.

CHARLES S. MCCARTHY. 

